Paul Volley believes the intensity of the Guinness Premiership will give Harlequins the edge in the Heineken Cup.
The Quins captain leads his men back into Europe's top tournament after a two-year absence. And flanker Volley believes the high-pressure environment in England will help his team-mates compete on rugby's biggest club stage.
Volley said: "I've played in the Guinness Premiership for years and also the top 14 in France and been watching the Magners League with a real interest.
"The Magners League has been strengthened over the years and all credit goes to the players but the Guinness Premiership is by far the best.
"But the beauty of the Heineken Cup is it gives the Welsh regions a real opportunity to have a go at the Guinness Premiership sides.
"Unlike the EDF, we play our full strength sides and it's the ultimate test. Six months into the Magners season, you know who will win the league whereas we fight all the way to the end.
"We've got the squads in place which will be important and we hope that will serve us well."
Dean Richards' side have been pitted in Pool 3 against Cardiff Blues, Bristol and Stade Francais. And despite the tough draw, Volley believes Harlequins have a genuine chance of progressing.
Volley said: "Cardiff Blues are playing exceptionally well and are the stand-out team at the moment.
"But as a player we love the tournament because we are going to different places each week. I've never played Cardiff so I'm really excited by the challenge.
"We travel to Stade Francais in Paris on the first weekend and they will have their Argentinean World Cup players back by then.
"But we saw them against Clermont last weekend and they're not firing on all cylinders. So we believe there's opportunities for us."
